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PetitFrereRav4's 2025 Rav4 PHEV; Maintenance/Upgrades/Adventures and more...

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#41 ·
PetitFrereRav4 said:
Today, I took a 700 miles round trip in my 2025 Rav4 Plug-in to Mexico and back. The top speed of the Rav4 Prime is only 118 mph. I thought it would be higher than that. My 2025 Camry XSE also had a top speed of 118 mph and I feel it actually can get from 80 to 118 as fast as the R4P.

My R4P would greatly benefit from a strut bar and a beefier rear sway bar. For those who like to push their Prime a bit more than normal.
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The maximum speed that the car's engine control computer will allow you to go is about 120 mph, assuming standard size wheels and tires are installed. This "maximum speed" is not the speed of the vehicle per se, it's actually the maximum rated rotation speed of the MG2 rotor - 17,000 rpm - which is tied to the front drive axles through a system of fixed gears between the rotor output shaft and the differential. The car's stock tires are 28.5" in diameter, or about 7.46 feet in circumference. At 120 mph, the tires are rotating at about 1,415 rpm. The gear ratio between the MG2 rotor shaft and the differential ring gear is 11.944:1, so at 120 mph, the MG2 rotor is spinning at 17,000 rpm, plus-or-minus a couple percent. This 17,000 rpm limit on the MG2 rotor is for 2 reasons: (1) to prevent the rotor itself from exploding due to excessive centrifugal force, and (2), to keep the rotor speed within the limit that the phase angle resolver is capable of reading. The resolver is the sensor that tells the Inverter what the instantaneous phase angle of the rotor is, in relation to the stator windings, so that inverter can time it's alternating-current power pulses properly. At 17,000 rpm, the rotor is actually spinning quite a bit faster than the resolver and inverter circuit can efficiently work at, which is why the maximum speed of the Rav4 Prime in EV mode is only 84 mph. If you want to go faster than that, the ICE engine spins up and most of the power to the drive axles comes directly from the ICE engine, through the power split device, and into the gear train to the differential.

These two screen grabs are from the Weber State University's auto technology department video of Prof. John Kelly's "deep dive" into the P-710 transaxle from a Rav4 Hybrid. The P-810 in the Rav4 Prime is almost identical, except that the MG2 rotor is 36mm longer, to give it 50 more horsepower.

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Discussion starter · #42 ·
lmcharlot said:
The maximum speed that the car's engine control computer will allow you to go is about 120 mph, assuming standard size wheels and tires are installed. This "maximum speed" is not the speed of the vehicle per se, it's actually the maximum rated rotation speed of the MG2 rotor - 17,000 rpm - which is tied to the front drive axles through a system of fixed gears between the rotor output shaft and the differential. The car's stock tires are 28.5" in diameter, or about 7.46 feet in circumference. At 120 mph, the tires are rotating at about 1,415 rpm. The gear ratio between the MG2 rotor shaft and the differential ring gear is 11.944:1, so at 120 mph, the MG2 rotor is spinning at 17,000 rpm, plus-or-minus a couple percent. This 17,000 rpm limit on the MG2 rotor is for 2 reasons: (1) to prevent the rotor itself from exploding due to excessive centrifugal force, and (2), to keep the rotor speed within the limit that the phase angle resolver is capable of reading. The resolver is the sensor that tells the Inverter what the instantaneous phase angle of the rotor is, in relation to the stator windings, so that inverter can time it's alternating-current power pulses properly. At 17,000 rpm, the rotor is actually spinning quite a bit faster than the resolver and inverter circuit can efficiently work at, which is why the maximum speed of the Rav4 Prime in EV mode is only 84 mph. If you want to go faster than that, the ICE engine spins up and most of the power to the drive axles comes directly from the ICE engine, through the power split device, and into the gear train to the differential.

These two screen grabs are from the Weber State University's auto technology department video of Prof. John Kelly's "deep dive" into the P-710 transaxle from a Rav4 Hybrid. The P-810 in the Rav4 Prime is almost identical, except that the MG2 rotor is 36mm longer, to give it 50 more horsepower.

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Wow. Very insightful knowledge. Thanks for sharing. The top speed I have actually seen on my car has been 119 mpg.

I wonder if with 17 inch wheels or 18 inch wheels on this car, can it do 120 mph or more on odometer?
 
Discussion starter · #43 ·
I like having my Garmin Drivesmart 86 in all the cars. It comes with the wireless Garmon camera that I have installed on the front license plate. This GPS works fkr me way better than using my phone or the car's GPS.

I bought a mount from A-Tach to mount the GPS. Sadly, t was blocking the screen just a bit. It was an eye sore for me. I decided to order the mount from Pro Clip. Big difference. I prefer the mount from Pro Clip.

I can't return the A tach mount and so I have to sell. I will gladly sell it for $25 shipped to anybody who is interested. I used it for one week and took it off.
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#44 · (Edited)
PetitFrereRav4 said:
Wow. Very insightful knowledge. Thanks for sharing. The top speed I have actually seen on my car has been 119 mpg.

I wonder if with 17 inch wheels or 18 inch wheels on this car, can it do 120 mph or more on odometer?
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The size of the wheel rims is not the controlling item, it's the diameter/circumference of the tires that determines the vehicle speed to powertrain rpm relationship.
The 18" stock tires for the Rav4 Prime SE, and 19" rims for the XSE, both have about the same diameter: 28.5". If you installed a larger tire, you might be able to squeeze a little more maximum speed out of the car. The Rav4 Prime' wheel wells can take a tire that's 30" in diameter, as long as it's not wider than about 9". I have not tried oversize tires myself yet, since I still have only 20,000 miles on my car and the original tires aren't worn out yet, but when it comes time to buy new tires, I am going to see if 235/65-R18 all-terrains will fit. These are 30" diameter x 9.3" wide.
I don't need the car to go any faster - I hardly ever drive faster than about 60 mph, since speed above 55 really hurts the fuel economy in the Rav4; what I am after is a little more ground clearance. Some people install lift kits in Rav4's, but these force the drive axles to operate through a larger angle and this wears down the CV joints more quickly. Larger tires don't impact the drive axle angle, although some people report a decrease in fuel economy with some all-terrain tires, likely because a/t's aren't designed for low rolling resistance, they're designed to resist cuts and punctures, and to provide maximum traction on rock, sand, gravel, mud, and snow.
 
#45 ·
lmcharlot said:
The size of the wheel rims is not the controlling item, it's the diameter/circumference of the tires that determines the vehicle speed to powertrain rpm relationship.
The 18" stock tires for the Rav4 Prime SE, and 19" rims for the XSE, both have about the same diameter: 28.5". If you installed a larger tire, you might be able to squeeze a little more maximum speed out of the car. The Rav4 Prime' wheel wells can take a tire that's 30" in diameter, as long as it's not wider than about 9". I have not tried oversize tires myself yet, since I still have only 20,000 miles on my car and the original tires aren't worn out yet, but when it comes time to buy new tires, I am going to see if 235/65-R18 all-terrains will fit. These are 30" diameter x 9.3" wide.
I don't need the car to go any faster - I hardly ever drive faster than about 60 mph, since speed above 55 really hurts the fuel economy in the Rav4; what I am after is a little more ground clearance. Some people install lift kits in Rav4's, but these force the drive axles to operate through a larger angle and this wears down the CV joints more quickly. Larger tires don't impact the drive axle angle, although some people report a decrease in fuel economy with some all-terrain tires, likely because a/t's aren't designed for low rolling resistance, they're designed to resist cuts and punctures, and to provide maximum traction on rock, sand, gravel, mud, and snow.
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Well I for one am bummed. I got mine up to top speed without trouble, 118 on the speedo but only 116 on the Garmin (which I think is more accurate) and it was smooth as glass and I think would have had plenty more without a governor. I usually go 80-85 but occasionally faster to get by traffic (that all goes 80 typically). So I ever go over 100, but I still think the car should reach its potential instead of some arbitrary limitation
 
Discussion starter · #46 ·
I tried to order this twice from 2 US sellers online. They claimed to have it in stock. I called to confirm. They confirmed to have it in stock. But a week later, my order was canceled and my money returned.

I went on Amazon jn Japan amd ordered this with expedited shipping. I got it in 4 days through DHL. I bought 2 sets, but I need only 1 set. If someone needs the second set, I can sell it to them for $15 shipped. Or you can buy it directly from Japan on amazon or yahoo auctions. It will cost more.
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#47 ·
PetitFrereRav4 said:
FedEx delivered my Tanabe Front Strut tower bar from Japan today. The thing looked so good tgat I could not resist and so I went to work and installed it. It looks so good and feels very solid. I have not even driven the car yet. I will drive it tomorrow.

This is the perfect front strut tower bar for the Rav4 Plug-in! People should spread the word to others that this is the best front strut tower bar for the Rav4 Plug-in because you do not have to remove any parts from your engine and this bar does not touch the ac line. I will definitely recommend it to others who are interested.
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So how are you finding the handling with this strut?
 
Discussion starter · #48 ·
hahncholo said:
So how are you finding the handling with this strut?
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Oh, the front strut bar was an absolutely necessary upgrade. I like it a lot. My Rav4 now handles almost like my 2025 Camry XSE used to.

Steering is very predictable. Little to no body roll on curves and when making any turns on the streets. You can tell the Rav4 is solid. I take curves now with a lot more confidence at higher speeds. Changing lanes at speeds above 70 mph is smooth with no body roll.

The most important test is trying to avoid an object in the middle of the road highway doing 50 mph and up. That is where you can tell this front strut is truly holding this car steady with little to no body roll. You always have control of the vehicle.

The most difference I noticed was installing the front strut bar. The rear sway bar is a good upgrade, but one can live without it.

If someone had to choose which bar to buy for the Rav4 Prime/Plug-in, I will strongly recommend the front strut bar from Tanabe. You will feel a very noticeable difference.

If someone upgrades the rear sway bar, the car will need you to install the front strut bar.
 
#50 ·
PetitFrereRav4 said:
Oh, the front strut bar was an absolutely necessary upgrade. I like it a lot. My Rav4 now handles almost like my 2025 Camry XSE used to.

Steering is very predictable. Little to no body roll on curves and when making any turns on the streets. You can tell the Rav4 is solid. I take curves now with a lot more confidence at higher speeds. Changing lanes at speeds above 70 mph is smooth with no body roll.

The most important test is trying to avoid an object in the middle of the road highway doing 50 mph and up. That is where you can tell this front strut is truly holding this car steady with little to no body roll. You always have control of the vehicle.

The most difference I noticed was installing the front strut bar. The rear sway bar is a good upgrade, but one can live without it.

If someone had to choose which bar to buy for the Rav4 Prime/Plug-in, I will strongly recommend the front strut bar from Tanabe. You will feel a very noticeable difference.

If someone upgrades the rear sway bar, the car will need you to install the front strut bar.
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Where did you order this one from?
 
Discussion starter · #51 ·
hahncholo said:
Where did you order this one from?
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I bought it from Elite Race Fab. I just took this screen shot from their website to post. It says it is fir the 2019 to 2921 Rav4. But it fits on my 2025 Rav4 Plug-in Hybrid.

I bought it for more than what they currently have it listed for as of today. I guess they are offering a sale on it after I bought it. It is made in Japan. Solid bar and I took my time to install it to make it solid.

The best thing about the bar is that it is the only bar for the Rav4 Prime or Plug-in that you do not have to remove any part from your engine and this bar does not touch the ac line. All other bars either touch the ac line or you have to remove a piece from the engine.

This is the best bar for the Rav4 Prime/Plug-in.

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#52 ·
PetitFrereRav4 said:
I bought it from Elite Race Fab. I just took this screen shot from their website to post. It says it is fir the 2019 to 2921 Rav4. But it fits on my 2025 Rav4 Plug-in Hybrid.

I bought it for more than what they currently have it listed for as of today. I guess they are offering a sale on it after I bought it. It is made in Japan. Solid bar and I took my time to install it to make it solid.

The best thing about the bar is that it is the only bar for the Rav4 Prime or Plug-in that you do not have to remove any part from your engine and this bar does not touch the ac line. All other bars either touch the ac line or you have to remove a piece from the engine.

This is the best bar for the Rav4 Prime/Plug-in.

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Thanks! Just ordered mine.
 
#58 ·
Just checked, mine are labeled "101V" which I am taking to mean V rated. Also, upon reflection, how would the car's computer know what tires are on it and set that as a limit?
 
#59 ·
The car speed limit is set by Toyota at the factory. It has nothing to do with the tires that are on it. And yes, the computer has no idea what tires you have.

The speed limit is probably there for safety reasons; the RAV4 has the aerodynamics of a brick, which means it can become unstable at high speeds.
 
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